On the WordPress platform, you can create content such as Pages, Posts, and Custom Post Types. Sometimes you may want to add blank lines or characters in your content to create visual appeal or reinforce the message you’re sending. Formatting WordPress just the way you want it to look can be tricky, so here’s how to add blank lines and characters in WordPress content.
Adding Blank Lines by Using Shortcode
The simplest and most straightforward method to adding blank lines is by adding them between [shortcode] and [/shortcode]. Since each shortcode needs a closing tag, you will have to manually add a blank line between shortcodes. In some cases, there might be more than one code between two blank lines.
Example 1
- [one_half first] [blank] [/one_half]
In order to make it three lines long, we will have to do some extra work. To get around adding a blank line manually, you can use [shortcode attribute=n] for adding n number of blanks between shortcodes. This attribute also accepts negative values and decimals as well which means it’s flexible enough to be used in various scenarios.
Example 2
- [one_half first n=3]
- [/one_half][one_half last n=-1]
If you want to add more than one number of blank lines, use [shortcode attribute=n1] and [shortcode attribute=n2]. There will now be 2 blank lines between 2 shortcodes which makes them 3 lines long instead of 2 lines each.
In addition to shortcodes, you can also add blank lines and characters via functions as well.
Adding Blank Lines with Custom Plugin
Let’s say you want to add extra blank lines at various points throughout your content. Instead of hunting around for blank spaces and adding them manually, consider using a custom plugin that inserts blank lines on demand. WordPress Blanklines (free) and Blank Lines ($10) are a few excellent options.
Both plugins let you choose exactly where you want new line breaks inserted into your content. They are excellent if you have a template or use shortcodes frequently. No matter which option you go with, adding blank lines can make your content easier to read on small screens.
As displays get larger and marketing sites get shorter, it pays off (literally) to prioritize ease of reading above all else. That said, always keep usability in mind when making changes to existing content: Adding too many blanks can leave readers confused about what’s going on! If your site gets frequent traffic from mobile devices, keep an eye out for signs that extra blanks are needed. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Adding Blank Lines with CSS Tricks
CSS tricks, or cascading style sheets, are used with any WordPress theme and will help you insert blanks lines into content. Inserting blank lines can help break up large chunks of text and make your content easier to read. It’s a good idea to add these before you publish or share your work.
If done right, it won’t be obvious you added them added after-the-fact. Adding blank lines while editing can also cause formatting problems. If you need to add extra spaces, try using nonbreaking spaces instead. This way, when people copy and paste your content, they won’t lose anything important.
Adding Blank Lines without Duplicating Content
You do not have to duplicate content when adding blank lines and characters to WordPress content. There are a few different ways you can add them without duplicating your content. If you use Yoast SEO, you can use their bulk editor to add blanks without duplicating your content. If you don’t use Yoast SEO, then there is a plugin called Bulk Editor that will allow you to edit your posts and pages with ease. It is easy to install and easy to use.
You can also go into each post or page individually and manually add blank lines where needed. This method works best if you only need to add one or two blanks at a time. You can also go into your database using phpMyAdmin or any other database management tool of your choice, find each individual post or page, click on it and then manually type in the amount of blanks needed for that specific post or page. This method takes longer than some of the others but it allows you to get exactly what you want for each individual post or page which is why some people prefer it over others.
Adding Characters by Using Shortcode
You can include special characters not found on keyboards in WordPress with a process similar to blank lines. All the format requires is the ampersand symbol, the character’s name, followed by a semicolon.
So if you wanted to add a star, the code would appear as ☆. Many lists like this one cover a variety of symbols for you to use, ranging from Greek letters, currency, and calligraphic writing fonts.
Adding Characters with a Plugin
If you’re consistently reporting or writing content in another language, using a plug in would be in your best interest. WordPress has its own special characters plug in. Granted, you have to upgrade to their Business Plan for a fee but it will save you the hassle of writing out shortcode. Once the plugin, or app, is installed to WordPress, a drop down appears in the post editor with all of the special character options.
Final Thoughts
Adding blank lines and characters to WordPress content is not as difficult as it sounds. You don’t have to be an expert at coding or even familiar with HTML/CSS to make changes. The key is knowing where to look for these options and how to customize them using whichever style comes easiest to you.